Spice-spiked Vapes

In a concerning development, research conducted by the University of Bath has uncovered that one in six vapes confiscated in schools contained the synthetic drug Spice. Professor Chris Pudney, who led the study, used a newly developed portable device to test over 600 vapes seized from 38 schools across London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and South Yorkshire. The findings revealed that not only did Spice feature in nearly three-quarters of the schools surveyed, but one in 100 vapes also contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. What is particularly alarming is that the vapes were not confiscated due to suspicions of containing illicit substances. Many of the Spice-laced vapes were designed to look like regular products, leading children to inadvertently consume the highly addictive synthetic drug while believing they were using cannabis. This deception is driven by the fact that while THC-containing vapes are expensive and difficult to import into the UK, Spice is a cheap and abundant alternative. The minister emphasized the grave consequences of Spice addiction, which is associated with serious health issues, including hallucinations, dizziness, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and organ damage. Spice users are often seen in a "zombified" state, and there have been numerous instances of children collapsing at school, requiring hospitalization and intensive care, and tragically becoming addicted to the substance. The highly addictive nature of Spice also makes it a gateway to criminal activity, coercion, and abuse, leaving young people incredibly vulnerable. Headteachers across the country have spoken out about the alarming prevalence of this issue, with some schools even writing to parents to raise awareness about the severe health risks posed by these illicit vapes. The minister's meeting with Professor Pudney and the demonstration of the detection device have underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this growing threat to the well-being of young people.